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January 22, 2013

January 5th - Bridgetown Barbados

We got what we hoped for - no rain, at least while we were ashore but boy was it hot so we decided before it got any hotter to go ashore. We had no real plans but John thought seeing as we'd never been to one of the beaches he'd ask the taxi driver to take us to the nearest beach.

Ok first thing, get a cab. That didn't work out too great as the first one I couldn't even get in the back seat because of my knee. That driver was none to happy with us when we switched to a different cab but at least I was able to get in and out ok without any pain in my knee.

We were really wondering if we'd made a mistake when this driver dropped us off at what looked like a really scuzzy place but he told us to just walk through the path and we'd be on the beach and promised us it was safe. He was right, we walked through and out onto a gorgeous white sand beach. We really must have looked funny as we were not dressed for the beach - I had on capris and John had shorts on.

We walked and walked and walked (not easy walking in sand when you're using a cane and have to keep the one knee on a fairly level surface). I'll swear we must have got our 10,000 steps in for sure. Too bad we hadn't brought along a pedometer.

John could see a hotel at the end of the strip and thought we'd walk to it, have a nice refreshing drink and take a cab back to the port area. That hotel for the longest time never seemed to get any closer while the ship definitely looked like it was getting further and further away.

See that biggish blob in about the centre of the picture - that's our ship. The pictures aren't great because it was so bright out on the beach that John couldn't see what he was taking a picture of.

The beach was packed with people from our ship (dead giveaway were the Celebrity bags & beach towels it seemed like everyone had). After awhile though the crowds got noticeably thinner and I mentioned to John that there were signs to the left of us saying no access to the road. Of course he thought there had to be and one would open up soon. By now it was getting very tiring and really hot. As we neared the yacht club before the hotel I started seeing signs saying "Absolutely no exit" Ok, now he believed me and we turned around and started looking for an exit from the beach and some shade. We must have walked half way back to where we started before we were finally able to get to the street. I was pooped what with trying to walk in sand with the cane. Now to get a cab. It seems all you need to do is just stand there and one will come along and ask if you want to go back to the ship. They must be pretty used to that on ship days. :)

We were a bit late in leaving as we unfortunately had to wait for an ambulance to come and take another passenger off - this was the 5th one so far on the trip. Once the ambulance had left the Captain wasted no time leaving the port. I guess he didn't want to make us late for Curacao.

That night was our 2nd of 3 formal nights on the cruise - what's with having a formal night on a port day when the next day is an at sea day anyway? I decided at lunch time that I wasn't having much luck with the entrees at dinner so I was going to try and check out the vegetarian options - should say option there is only 1. It was a good night to start because aside from the Beef Wellington I'd had on New Years day it was the best meal yet.

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January 5th - Bridgetown Barbados

We got what we hoped for - no rain, at least while we were ashore but boy was it hot so we decided before it got any hotter to go ashore. We had no real plans but John thought seeing as we'd never been to one of the beaches he'd ask the taxi driver to take us to the nearest beach.

Ok first thing, get a cab. That didn't work out too great as the first one I couldn't even get in the back seat because of my knee. That driver was none to happy with us when we switched to a different cab but at least I was able to get in and out ok without any pain in my knee.

We were really wondering if we'd made a mistake when this driver dropped us off at what looked like a really scuzzy place but he told us to just walk through the path and we'd be on the beach and promised us it was safe. He was right, we walked through and out onto a gorgeous white sand beach. We really must have looked funny as we were not dressed for the beach - I had on capris and John had shorts on.

We walked and walked and walked (not easy walking in sand when you're using a cane and have to keep the one knee on a fairly level surface). I'll swear we must have got our 10,000 steps in for sure. Too bad we hadn't brought along a pedometer.

John could see a hotel at the end of the strip and thought we'd walk to it, have a nice refreshing drink and take a cab back to the port area. That hotel for the longest time never seemed to get any closer while the ship definitely looked like it was getting further and further away.

See that biggish blob in about the centre of the picture - that's our ship. The pictures aren't great because it was so bright out on the beach that John couldn't see what he was taking a picture of.

The beach was packed with people from our ship (dead giveaway were the Celebrity bags & beach towels it seemed like everyone had). After awhile though the crowds got noticeably thinner and I mentioned to John that there were signs to the left of us saying no access to the road. Of course he thought there had to be and one would open up soon. By now it was getting very tiring and really hot. As we neared the yacht club before the hotel I started seeing signs saying "Absolutely no exit" Ok, now he believed me and we turned around and started looking for an exit from the beach and some shade. We must have walked half way back to where we started before we were finally able to get to the street. I was pooped what with trying to walk in sand with the cane. Now to get a cab. It seems all you need to do is just stand there and one will come along and ask if you want to go back to the ship. They must be pretty used to that on ship days. :)

We were a bit late in leaving as we unfortunately had to wait for an ambulance to come and take another passenger off - this was the 5th one so far on the trip. Once the ambulance had left the Captain wasted no time leaving the port. I guess he didn't want to make us late for Curacao.

That night was our 2nd of 3 formal nights on the cruise - what's with having a formal night on a port day when the next day is an at sea day anyway? I decided at lunch time that I wasn't having much luck with the entrees at dinner so I was going to try and check out the vegetarian options - should say option there is only 1. It was a good night to start because aside from the Beef Wellington I'd had on New Years day it was the best meal yet.